Even though the overall size of the plaque in the heart’s main artery didn’t change in mice without FFAR4 after 16 weeks, the dead-cell core inside got much bigger — meaning the plaque became more dangerous even if it didn’t grow.
Scientific Claim
In ApoE−/− mice fed a Western diet for 16 weeks, FFAR4 deficiency does not alter the total area or volume of aortic sinus lesions compared to controls, despite increasing necrotic core size.
Original Statement
“After 16 weeks of Western diet feeding, the lesions showed no changes in the area or volume of the aortic sinus between ApoE−/−/Ffar4−/− mice and ApoE−/− controls. However, male and female mice had 43% and 37% increases in the necrotic lesion area, respectively.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
Based on abstract only - full methodology not available to verify. The claim uses neutral language ('does not alter') and matches the abstract’s explicit statement. No causal verbs used; appropriate for study design.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
FFAR4 Deficiency Increases Necrotic Cores in Advanced Lesions of ApoE−/− Mice—Brief Report
Even though the overall plaque size in the arteries didn’t change when FFAR4 was missing, the dangerous, dead-cell center inside the plaques got much bigger — which is exactly what the claim says.